Lilies (Lilium species) are dramatic, focal-point flowers, celebrated for their large, often fragrant blooms and elegant, upward-reaching habit. These bulbs bring striking color and form to the garden, but their aesthetic impact is magnified by pairing them with complementary plant partners. Successful companion planting creates a cohesive display that enhances the lilies’ beauty while meeting their practical growing needs. The right selections provide visual contrast, camouflage less attractive foliage, and extend the overall season of interest.
Establishing the Right Growing Conditions
Successful companion planting starts with meeting the foundational needs shared by lilies and their partners. Lilies thrive in conditions that offer full sun to partial shade, ideally receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight for robust flowering. Although the flowers prefer sun, lilies like to have their “feet in the shade,” meaning the soil and bulb should be kept cool and moist.
The most important environmental factor is excellent drainage, as the fleshy bulbs are prone to rot in soggy conditions. Companion plants must similarly tolerate a well-draining, fertile soil with consistent moisture, especially during the lilies’ active growth phase. Ideal partners do not aggressively compete with the lily bulbs for water or nutrients, often requiring shallow-rooted varieties. Choosing companions that flower concurrently with the lilies or just before/after their peak ensures the planting bed maintains continuous color.
Low-Growing Partners to Hide Bare Stems
One common aesthetic challenge when growing lilies is their tendency to develop sparse, unappealing foliage on their lower stems, often called “bare legs.” Selecting low-growing, dense companions (under 12 inches tall) is the most effective way to mask this area and keep the lily roots cool. These mounding plants act as a living ground cover, providing a polished look at the base of the taller stalks.
Hardy geraniums (Cranesbill) are excellent choices, offering a dense, mounding habit and blooms in shades of blue or purple. The vibrant colors of perennial Geranium species provide a beautiful contrast to the warm yellows, oranges, and pinks of many Lilium cultivars. For beds with partial shade, Hostas are a premier partner, prized for their wide range of foliage colors and textures. The broad, rounded Hosta leaves offer a striking textural contrast to the lilies’ upright, linear foliage, creating a soft, lush foreground.
Alchemilla mollis, or Lady’s Mantle, is another superb low-growing option, forming neat mounds of scalloped leaves. Its frothy, chartreuse flowers provide a light, airy texture and a neutral color that harmonizes with nearly any lily shade. Low-growing annuals like New Guinea Impatiens or shorter Petunias can be tucked in to fill spaces quickly, offering continuous color and dense foliage cover. These selections effectively shade the soil, conserving moisture and completing the visual picture without competing with the lily’s main display.
Mid-Sized and Tall Companions for Layered Beds
To achieve a full, multi-dimensional garden bed, lilies benefit from companions that provide vertical structure and textural interest at heights between 18 and 40 inches. These mid-sized plants create a transitional layer, blending the low ground cover with the dramatic height of the lilies. Effective pairings use plants with contrasting flower shapes, preventing the display from looking uniform or cluttered.
Delphinium species and Foxgloves (Digitalis) are ideal for this layered approach, as their tall, spiky flower forms offer a strong vertical line that differs from the lily’s trumpet or star-like blooms. The tubular flowers of Foxgloves, which prefer partial shade, can help shade the lily roots while creating a woodland aesthetic. The spherical flower heads of Alliums (Ornamental Onions) provide a unique geometric contrast, and their early bloom time can bridge the gap before the main lilies emerge.
Ornamental grasses, such as Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis), introduce movement and a fine, airy texture that softens the bold appearance of the lily flowers. The light, neutral tones and linear leaves of grasses provide an excellent backdrop, allowing the saturated colors of the Lilium blooms to stand out. Salvia (Sage), particularly varieties with spiky blue or purple flowers, offers a complementary color contrast and a vertical shape that echoes the lilies’ upright habit. These choices ensure the garden maintains visual depth and interest, supporting the lilies without stealing the spotlight.